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The Force Incident Manager at Devon and Cornwall Police warned members of the public about the seriousness of carrying anything that may resemble a gun.

He said: "I'd like to remind people to have possession of an imitation firearm, or a BB gun in public, as police will respond as they would with any other firearms incident, with authorised firearms officers.

"This is because we are unable to tell the difference and it puts everyone at risk."

File picture of armed police (Image: Penny Cross)

He added that at the time of the call, "police were unable to estimate the validity of the report".

Section 16 of the firearms act states: "It is an offence for a person to have in his possession any firearm or imitation firearm with intent - (a) by means thereof to cause, (b) or to enable another person by means thereof to cause - any person to believe that unlawful violence will be used against him or another person."

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Anyone who may have saw anything suspicious in the area this morning is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 426 of January 5, 2019.